Final answer:
It is true that for patients with erysipelas, there is often a portal of entry, which may be a trauma, cut, cyst, or the eyes, allowing the pathogen causing the infection to enter the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: for patients with erysipelas, there is usually a portal of entry such as trauma, cut, cyst, or eyes. Erysipelas is an infection typically caused by Streptococcus pyogenes that gets into the body through a break in the skin barrier.
These breaks can include cuts, wounds, or other injuries that breach the skin's protective function, providing a route for the pathogen to cause infection. Certain skin conditions, exposure to pathogens through contaminated water, or underlying diseases can increase the risk of developing infections like erysipelas when there's a breach in the skin.
Moreover, the presence of pre-existing cuts, wounds, or lesions is a significant risk factor for many types of bacterial skin infections, not just erysipelas. Pathogens can enter the body through these disruptions in the skin's integrity and potentially cause more severe infections if not promptly treated.